Insect Activity Update
Iowa's mild winter has accelerated insect development across the state. Recent sightings include soybean aphids, Japanese beetle adults, black cutworm, European corn borers, and corn earworm.
Integrated Crop Management News
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Stunted, Yellowing or Wilting Corn: Could Nematodes Be the Cause?
By Greg Tylka, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology
There continues to be lots of questions about whether plant-parasitic nematodes are causing damage to Iowa's corn crop. This varied group of microscopic worms has some species that cause damage to corn at very low population densities (numbers) and other species that are not harmful until population densities reach many hundred or more per 100 cm3 (a little less than a half cup) of soil.
Crop Minute - Time to Scout Corn
It is time for producers to scout corn fields and identify corn establishment problems such as damping off and rootworm egg hatch, according to extension specialists. In her Crop Minute, Erin Hodgson, extension entomologist, says rootworms have hatched early. Alison Robertson, extension crop pathologist, notes in her Crop Minute some corn plants are experiencing problems in southeast Iowa, but it's not all due to disease.
Predicted Corn Rootworm Hatch Begins for 2012
The 2012 predicted corn rootworm egg hatch is about two weeks ahead of the 2011 growing season. Most of the state will approach 50 percent egg hatch within 7 to 14 days depending on the temperature.
Crop Minute - Long Corn Planting Season
The long corn planting season this year — from mid-March through May has the benefit of spreading risk. Roger Elmore, extension corn agronomist, reminds producers to keep in mind the "growth stage" of the field they are scouting — as they may have fields at three different stages of growth. Decisions on herbicide applications and other management practices are based on growth stage.
Conservation Practices Save Soil and Sustain Agriculture
Conservation planning is becoming increasingly necessary, especially with the current weather challenges we are experiencing and the unpredictability, intensity and duration of rain events.
Conservation System Management Considerations
By Mahdi Al-Kaisi, Department of Agronomy
Managing conservation systems at the right field moisture is a critical factor to ensure successful outcomes. Plants showing a delay in growth may be explained by improper planting depth, soil surface or side-wall compaction due to planting in wet soil conditions, or nutrient deficiencies such as phosphorus or potassium. Seedbed preparation along with tillage or planting equipment settings, have a combined effect on plant performance.
Crop Minute - Soil Erosion
Clarke McGrath, extension field agronomist, discusses the severe soil erosion in southwest Iowa.
Start Scouting for Stalk Borer
About 10 percent of stalk borer larvae can begin moving to corn after accumulating 1,300 to 1,400 degree days. Part of southern Iowa hit this degree day benchmark over the weekend; central and northern Iowa should reach this mark mid-month. This is about three weeks earlier than last year.